I miss the episodic format of video games. While many people aren’t particularly fond of it, I always had a blast playing through each episode, digesting every little detail the developers packed into them.
Here’s why I think episodic games need a comeback:
The Episode Discussions
I loved jumping into a game’s subreddit to discuss the latest episode. The sheer thrill, frustration, and surprise in those conversations made the experience even better. It was always the same—minutes after an episode dropped, I’d see posts filled with the exact reactions I had when the credits rolled on a cliffhanger.
I still remember diving into the Life is Strange subreddit after every episode of Max and Chloe’s adventures. People were going crazy over wild theories (most of which led nowhere) and speculating about which character was doomed next.
The same was true for Telltale games like Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead—arguably their most successful titles. Every episode sparked heated discussions about which choices players made and whether they had doomed or saved their favorite characters.
The Perfect Use of Extended Content
One of the things I loved about episodic games, especially from Telltale, was how they could take a popular IP and reshape it into their signature format. Franchises like Batman had their own Telltale touch, and even The Expanse received a five-episode story centered around Camina Drummer, everyone’s favorite Belter.
There’s so much potential in other licenses, too. I always appreciated how Telltale went out of its way to create extra story content for beloved characters. I’d kill for a John Wick Telltale game, by the way.
A Nice Change of Pace
Episodic games offered a refreshing break from the endless bloat of open-world adventures and traditional single-player stories. Instead of grinding to unlock the next Synchronization Point or raiding castles, I was deeply invested in the characters and the consequences of my decisions.
I remember being worried sick about Clementine and Lee’s fate after each episode of The Walking Dead or agonizing over whether I had made the right call as a member of House Forrester in Game of Thrones.
It Wasn’t Always Perfect, Though
Unfortunately, the era of episodic games has been fading. Telltale struggled with the format, eventually shutting down in 2018. The business model wasn’t always profitable, and the long waits between episodes caused player interest to wane. Unlike TV shows, which benefit from strong marketing ahead of each episode, episodic games often lost momentum over time.
Still, there’s a silver lining—Telltale is back, in some shape or form. And while Lost Records: Bloom & Rage from DONTNOD only has two episodes, it’s a promising step in the right direction.
With Telltale’s return and The Wolf Among Us 2 on the horizon, it’s only a matter of time before we see a resurgence of episodic games.